Mallet and die game



Jan. 16, 1962 r. ASCARDI 3,017,186

MALLET AND DIE GAME Filed Oct. 11, 1960 INVE-NTOR.

moms ASCARDI United States Patent 3,017,186 MALLET AND DIE GAME Thomas Ascardi, 2202 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Oct. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 61,961 Claims. (Cl. 273--146) This invention relates to games and, more particularly, to a competitive action game.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a competitive type of dice game in which a mallet is employed to strike a die member for movement to a random position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a game package having interlocking parts for connecting the mallet and die members together in a compact storage position when not in use.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus made in accordance with the present invention in actual use;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a die member forming a part of the apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of a game package made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the mallet member;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a mallet head forming another part of the present invention; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged end elevational view of the mallet head shown in FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawing, a game package .10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a collapsible mallet member and die member. As is shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, the die and mallet members are conveniently placed in a storage position in a substantially elongated housing :12.

The die member 14 is preferably constructed from molded plastic material with bevelled corners 16 and spots 18 of preferably contrasting colors. The one side of the die member 14 which customarily includes the single spot 18, is instead provided with a recess 20 simulating the single spot and slidably receiving one end portion 22 of the handle end 36 of the mallet shaft 24.

The opposite end of the mallet shaft 24 is provided with a threaded stud portion 26 which is threadedly received within a transversely extending internally threaded opening 28 of the mallet head 30, when the parts are placed in the assembled position shown in FIGURES 1 and 4.

When in the collapsed storage position, the mallet head 30 slidably receives the handle end 36 of the shaft 24 within a central longitudinal bore 32 and counterbore 34, both of which correspond substantially to the contour of the shaft handle-36. Thus, in the storage position shown 3,017,186 Patented Jan. 16, 1962 in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, the game apparatus is extremely compact and easy to handle.

All of the parts of the present invention are preferably constructed from molded plastic, formed wood, or metallic elements, to enhance the appearance thereof to mini mize the cost of manufacture wherever possible.

In actual use, the mallet is used to strike the die and the bevelled edges 16 thereof facilitate the rolling of the die a substantial distance before coming to rest in a given position. This game is especially adaptable for use by young and old persons, and can be conveniently made in different sizes to facilitate the use thereof by children and older persons alike.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be contrued as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best de-' fined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Game apparatus comprising, in combination, a die having conventional indicia thereon, a mallet including separate head and shaft portions, said head including socket means receiving one end of said shaft therethrough in a disassembled position, coupling means for securing said shaft perpendicularly upon said head, and said die including a recess receiving the terminal portion of said one end of said shaft therewithin.

2. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said die comprises a substantially cubical member having bevelled corner edges.

3. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said socket means comprises a longitudinal bore extending longitudinally through said head of said mallet, and a counterbore in communication with said longitudinal bore of said mallet head conforming substantially to the contour of said one end of said shaft received therewithin.

4. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said coupling means comprises an internally threaded socket formed transversely in said head, and a threaded stud portion at the opposite end of said draft threadedly received within said internally threaded socket of said head.

5. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said recess of said die comprises a centrally located indent on said one side of said die representing the one spot of the die and slidably receiving at least a terminal portion of said one end of said shaft therewithin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 609,390 Hollstein Aug. 16, 1898 1,387,946 Rutherford et a1. Aug. 16, 1921 2,417,615 Rothe Mar. 18, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,230,474 France Apr. 4, 1960 

